Nonviolence - Resistance - Inspiration

Nonviolence

The Center for Nonviolent Communication

• We help people connect across differences and transform conflict one conversation at a time using Nonviolent Communication, the Language of Life.

• The Center for Nonviolent Communication is an international nonprofit peacemaking organization. We believe that everyone’s needs matter and dialogue can resolve differences peacefully. Every day we support learners, trainers, and change agents around the world to create an environment where everyone's needs matter.

• History: The organization was founded in 1984 by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg (1934-2015), a clinical psychologist from the U.S. He first developed Nonviolent Communication in the 1960s in federally-funded school integration projects, where he provided mediation and communication skills training. For several decades, Dr. Rosenberg traveled the globe, sharing peacemaking skills in more than 40 countries. "What I want in my life is compassion, a flow between myself and others based on a mutual giving from the heart" 

  • • Book: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of LIfe - "If "violent" means acting in ways that result in hurt or harm, then much of how we communicate could indeed be called "violent" communication."

Center for Nonviolent Conflict Research

Father John’s Beatitudes Center For The Nonviolent Jesus 

• The purpose of this organization is to teach and promote the nonviolence of Jesus, to help end violence and to create a new culture of nonviolence through workshops, podcasts, and conferences. 

• Podcast "The Nonviolent Jesus"  Join Morro Bay local Fr. John Dear, priest, author, activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, for weekly thought-provoking 30 minute visits with visionary leaders, daring to reclaim the radical, active nonviolence of Jesus. Rooted in the wisdom of Gandhi and Dr. King, this journey isn't just about changing the world, it's about transforming ourselves. If peacemaking, nonviolence, and advocating for spiritual truth and social justice is your jam, this podcast is for you! 

• Other links to non-violent actions from Father John’s Beatitudes Center For The Nonviolent Jesus can be found here: The Beatitudes Are A Call To Nonviolent Action 

MK Gandhi Institute fo Non-violence

The Peace Alliance

The King Center

• Our mission is to empower people to create a just, humane, equitable and peaceful world by applying Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology (Nonviolence365). 

Martin Luther King Gandhi Organization

• The MLK-Gandhi Organization has been a beacon of hope and social change, blending the philosophies of two of history's greatest leaders: Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.

• Our organization has made remarkable strides in promoting nonviolent social justice, equality, and community empowerment. Through countless campaigns, we’ve successfully advocated for civil rights, economic justice, and educational equity, working to create a world where freedom and dignity are upheld for all.

• We've also facilitated global peace-building initiatives, bringing communities together to resolve conflicts and promote understanding. Our legacy continues to inspire generations, empowering individuals to take action for positive change, rooted in the principles of love, peace, and justice.

Resistance

Resistance Lab: Virtual Organizing Training 101 / Pramila Jayapal

• Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal represents Washington's 7th Congressional District, which encompasses most of Seattle, WA and its surrounding areas. She and her team have come up with a coordinated resistance strategy with free virtual training sessions called Resistance Lab. Their goals are to help people understand how democracies fall and the most effective resistance movements that have challenged authoritarians and dictators; to turn anger, fear and frustration into action in the short-term, while also preparing for a coordinated resistance movement for the longer term; and to build community across the country that can help grow the movement. 

Inspiration

DON'T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT - George Lakoff

• Berkeley Linguistics Professor. His book, Don't Think Of An Elephant, makes the case that conservatives are winning the language wars, and maps out a guide for progressives on how they can improve their message. 

• This video link is a one hour talk by George Lakoff about his theory, and I found it to be so fascinating. These are the culture changes that need to be focussed on in America in order to undo the decades of coordinated "framing" we have been subjected to by conservative nationalists.  

Mindful Activism: The Power of Mindfulness in the Streets

How might a formal mindfulness practice of sitting or walking with non-judgmental attention on the body and mind in the present moment enhance the effectiveness of activists and movements? Three areas are promising: maintaining nonviolent discipline, supporting movement integrity, and integrating personal and political transformation. Click link to learn more.

TIMOTHY SNYDER

• An American historian of Europe and a public intellectual on both continents. His work inspires art and music, and is read at protests around the world. Here are his best action guidelines, taken from his book, "On Tyranny", rendered beautifully by the great John Lithgow. It is meant for courageous and creative dissenters, protestors and oppositionists.... just like you and me! Pass it on! TWENTY LESSONS 

Misc topics

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TRUMP’S DANGEROUS PERSONALITY DISORDER 

• A friend sent me this very informative article about the severity of Trump's mental illness, and he actually scores 33 (dangerously high) on the psychosis rating scale (no surprise!). Many prominent American psychiatric professionals have been issuing dire warnings... for YEARS.... but their voices have been squashed, and legacy media ignores them. It's a bit of a read, but very enlightening if you're interested in what we're truly up against.